Editorial: Public safety is no accident

Amarillo needs red light cameras

Cameras designed to deter motorists from running through red - which means "stop!" - lights are doing their job.

That's according to a survey of cities that have installed them, say Amarillo city officials.

So, what's next?

The City Commission should put the cameras' installation on a faster track.

It's a public safety issue that could do wonders to help the city prevent one type of totally preventable traffic accident.

City Manager Alan Taylor has made it clear that he does not intend for the cameras to be a revenue source for the city. The study concludes that it costs about $234,000 annually to operate four cameras at a single intersection. Taylor sees the cameras as being "revenue neutral" devices.

About 25 Texas cities are using the cameras to aid police in stopping red-light runners. Lubbock is one of the communities that employs the cameras.

Has it been a controversy-free matter in Lubbock? Hardly. At least two city council members say they want to remove the cameras. Lubbock officials, however, say the cameras will stay in operation for the foreseeable future.

Public safety should be at the heart of the proponents' case for the cameras. Community Services Director Vicky Covey said the cities with the cameras in operation have seen a decrease in traffic accidents. She calls the results a "very positive thing" about the cameras.

Indeed.

The city appears to be moving slowly but surely toward the installation of the cameras, now that the Legislature has given cities the authority to install them.

Yes, a program such as this will generate some controversy. Some folks don't want to rely on a machine to tell them they've broken the law. Others contend that the cameras invade motorists' "privacy," apparently forgetting that the lawbreakers are committing their illegal acts on public streets.

The debate should be a healthy one for Amarillo. The city ultimately should decide - with plenty of supporting data in hand - that public safety is of paramount concern.

If the cameras prevent motor vehicle accidents, then the city should install them.